David Letterman ‘Had No Idea’ That Robin Williams Was ‘Suffering’ — Watch

David Letterman is the latest talk show host to offer his condolences to Robin Williams via a touching tribute on the August 18 episode of ‘The Late Show’.

David Letterman, 67, is the latest in late night to talk about his friendship with Robin Williams, 63, who was found dead on August 11 following a suicide. Watch Dave’s touching tribute to Robin and to their 38-year friendship for insight into the kind, brilliant, groundbreaking person that Robin was.

In his 10-minute tribute, David reveals that he and Robin first met nearly 40 years ago at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. “In those days, we were working for free drinks — some were working for more free drinks than others.”

As David watched Robin hit the Comedy Store stage for the first time, it came upon him suddenly, as it did for all of us: “It was like nothing we had ever seen before, had ever imagined before. […] We’re like the morning dew, and he comes in like a hurricane.”

David Letterman: ‘People Were Drawn To [Robin Williams] Because Of This Electricity’

When Robin was on Mork & Mindy, he was kind enough to get his comedian friends on the show, even to the “detriment” of the show, as Dave put it — the producers were not keen on Dave’s acting skills.

“People were drawn to him because of this electricity,” Dave said, introducing a compilation segment of some of Robin’s 50 (50!) appearances on Dave’s show over the years, in its various iterations. When Robin was on, “two things would happen: […] I didn’t have to do anything. All I had to do was sit here and watch the machine. And two, people would watch. […] The viewership would go up.

“[…] Robin could make you laugh under any circumstances.”

Dave closed the segment with this: “Beyond being a very talented man and a good friend and a gentleman, I am sorry like everybody else — I had no idea that the man was in pain, that the man was suffering. But what a guy. Robin Williams.”

HollywoodLifers, what did you think of David Letterman’s tribute? Let us know.